The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has mandated the cleanup of 320 tonnes of waste that has reportedly been illegally dumped on a property in Clarence Valley.
According to the EPA, Gardners Yamba Skip Bin Hire has been instructed to eliminate the contaminated waste, which is situated near a tributary of the Clarence River. Surveillance via drones has indicated that the debris has been accumulating at this location since 2022.
The skip-bin company is required to clear the site, which contains hazardous materials such as asbestos, by November 2. This order follows an investigation conducted by the EPA and NSW Police in May, which involved a search of the Stockyard Creek property, located to the north of Grafton.
Laboratory analyses of the samples collected from the site revealed the presence of asbestos and lead, along with other waste materials that included construction debris, synthetic turf, scrap metal, and furniture. The EPA noted that drone footage confirmed the ongoing stockpiling of contaminated waste since the previous year.
The area in question is recognized for its significant ecological value, being adjacent to a waterway that supports agricultural activities, swimming, and fishing. An EPA representative remarked, “This conduct reflects a total disregard for both the environment and the community of Clarence Valley.” They emphasized the inappropriateness of dumping waste in proximity to such a sensitive waterway.
Customers of the skip-bin service had entrusted the company to manage their waste responsibly by transporting it to an authorized disposal facility. The EPA expressed concern that individuals expect their waste to be handled correctly, rather than being discarded illegally to evade disposal fees.
Furthermore, the property owner is required to submit receipts from a legitimate waste disposal facility for each load removed and to provide photographic evidence of each waste stockpile once the cleanup is finalized.
The ABC reached out to Gardners Yamba Skip Bin Hire for a statement, but the owner declined to comment on the matter.
